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Golden Retrievers And Some Things You Didn't Know About Them
by Richard Cussons
How it all began with Golden Retrievers: Sir Dudley Majoribanks
wanted a hunting dog, but not just any hunting dog. He wanted one
that was just as a much a companion as it was a retriever of the
birds he shot. The then popular Irish Setters and Spaniels were only
good for showing him where the birds had fallen but their coats,
much too fine, kept them from finding them in harsher areas. So,
Dudley Majoribanks created the Golden Retriever and, coincidentally,
one of the most popular breeds. Of course, it was not an easy
task--it took him years to create the dog he envisioned (years and
multiple breeds).
From 1865 to 1889, Majoribanks used his pups to further the idea
of the ultimate hunting dog. When he finally accomplished his goal,
the result was a mix of the Setter, lesser Newfoundland, Springer
Spaniel and the Water Spaniel.
Majoribanks had his Retriever.
Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds (second only
to Labrador Retrievers) and with good reason: their gentle
temperaments and sweet faces make them a favored family dog. But,
also, their water- repellent coats and high intelligence make them
ideal for hunting, which Majoribanks would be proud to see continue.
This mixture of intelligence and loyalty mark them as a natural
choice for families. This is a devoted breed, one that will do
everything they can to please.
Standing between 20 to 24 inches and weighing 55 to 80 pounds,
this is not a dog meant for great intimidation (of course, its
friendly disposition cancels that idea, no matter what the size).
Instead, this is a dog built for activity: whether hunting,
retrieving or merely playing with its owners, the Golden Retriever
is meant to move.
This can cause a problem for some households, however. Many
people see the Golden as the ultimate dog. In some ways, it is, but
there are disadvantages. One, as mentioned before, is the need for
activity. Golden Retrievers were not created to simply lay around
the house. It needs something to spark its intelligence and use its
natural instincts. If you do not have the time to devote to this
breed, then you should not consider purchasing a pup. But, it's not
just time spent exercising-- your Golden wants time with you. That
matters most. The affectionate dogs cannot stand to be left alone.
If they are, for longer periods of time, they may become
destructive.
Of course, many people respond to this by either: locking their
pet outside or crating him. Neither one of these options is overly
wise. The Golden is prone to digging when left outside for too long
and could escape the yard, and, if left in a crate, the dog would be
miserable. No, you need time to spend with this breed. Otherwise,
you will both be unhappy.
Another disadvantage to the Golden can also be argued as its
greatest advantage: its temperament. To the Golden, everyone is a
friend to be licked and loved. In some ways, this is excellent. You
can trust your pet never to harm your children, your other animals
or even strangers who visit the house. In other ways, however, this
is a problem. The Golden does not make even a tolerable guard dog.
If you are looking for something to defend you, this is not it. This
breed was meant to be sweet, not to become aggressive if a stranger
should appear in the doorway. Now, yes, the Golden Retriever will
bark (they can actually become quite vocal) but that is all they are
likely to do. Even intense training is no guarantee that your Golden
will defend you. It's hard to suppress centuries of loving instinct.
But, if you are searching for a dog that will love you and try
its best to please you, then the Golden is the perfect match. This
is a dog that will always greet you at the door, even when you've
just stepped out for a minute, and this is a dog that will want to
be with you no matter where you are. If you have the time and energy
to devote to it, Golden Retrievers will never let you down.
About the Author
Rich Cussons is a champion for dogs of all breeds buy Golden
Retrievers in particular. You will find out more about
Golden Retrievers at the <a href="http://www.goldenretrieversavvy.com/golden-retriever-sitemap.html">Golden
Retriever Savvy website. |
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